Advertising apparatus for cars, &amp;c.



J. CRANE, JB. ADVERTISING APPARATUS FOR GARS, &c. APPLICATION FILED AUG.10,1903.

Patented. Aug. 31, 1909.

. Znesse s."

. fnvenfo'.- wxga y QW @m ANDREW, Lamm co.. Pncrmnwumins. wnemnurml. D.c.

J. CRANE, JR. ADVERTISING APPARATUS FOR GARS, 6m.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10, 1903.

932,764. ,Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

f Y 'J5 lnesses: l f' nvenor vQZWWJMV- chorn ely.

J, CRANE, JB. ADVERTISING. APPARATUS FOR CARS, &o.

APPLIOATIDN FILED UG. 10. 1903.

Patented Aug. 315 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wwf/7265565- J. CRANE, J... ADVERTISING APPARATUS FOB. GARS, &o.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 10. 1903.

Nrrn JosHUA cnANE, ma ,OF'WEsTwoon MASSACHUSETTS.

.ADVERTISING APPARATUS FOR'CABS, 85e.

To all whomk t `may concern.

13e it known that'I, JOSHUA*CiiANEQJr., citizen of the U'nited n States,residing at vlestwood, in the county of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts,have invented ay certain ,l new and useful Improvement in AdvertisingApparatus for Cars, &c., of whicli'the following is a specification,referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawings.`

The apparatus is adapted in most'of its features to what is ordinarilytermed a traveling sign, or more properly a traveling series ofsignswhich are presented tovvi'ew during a partof their course andareusually concealed from view during the remaining part of their course.In some of its important features, the improvement'is renderedespecially valuable 'for advertising purposes in street cars. 4

The object of thev present invention is'the production of apractical'apparatus of the character above indicated. y y,

The invention. will first be described in'.` connection with theaccompanying drawings,Y which illustrate the best iorml thereof which Ihave thus far devised, and4 atterwardthe essential characteristics ofthe invention will be particularly pointed out -and distinctly provided"with `flange portions 6 7. Said plates are applied on each side of oneof the Vlinks of the chain 1: and are riveted thereto defined in theclaims at` the close of this speciication.

In the'drawings, Figure 1is atace view of" a portion of the travelingpart of the apparatus, broken away in portions. Fig. ,2 is a sectionalview thereof taken on the plane that is indicated by the line 2-2 inFig. 11.

looking in the direction that is indicated yby the arrows near the endsof said line, show# ing both the exposed portion and the .returning orconcealed `portion of the traveling part of the apparatus, together withthe stationary supporting means therefor. Fig. is a face view, `partlyin section, o' the supporting and ldriving devices at one end of theapparatus. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the supporting devices at theother end' of the apparatus. Fig -5 isa section on the'. plane that isindicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, looking in the directionthat isindicated bythe arrowsnear the ends of said line, showing also someelements'of thetrav` eling part of the apparatus.` Fig. Gisa sectionalview 4on the line6-6 of Fig. 4,'looking in the direction that isindicated by the arrows near theends of said'line, and sho.w.v

Y v "Specification of Letters Patent. "Application filed August 10,1903.Serial No. 168,858.

I ing some elements of v 4;the `apparatus. Flg. 7 1s a reduced facePatented Angel, `1909.

the traveling part of View ofthe apparatus, with the end supporting anddriving devices cased in. Fig. 8 is a section taken transversely of acar, and is somewhat in the nature of a diagrammatic View. Fig. 9 is aface view of the traveling part ofa modified 'form ofkthe apparatus.Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 `in Fig. 9, looking inthedirection that is indicated bythe arrows located near the ends oi'saidline. The line of section is also indicatedby the dotted line in Fig.11. Fig. 11

isa face View of the bar that is employed in the structure shown inFigs. 9 and 10. Fig.

12 isy anedge view of said bar. Fig. 13 1s a plan ofsaid bar.Y Fig. 14is a diagram lof the forward end of the `lcard or sheet 2employed in thestructure shown in Figs. 9

`and 10.V

sists of two chains connected at regular intervalsby bars, the cards, orsheets, or other signs `being supported by the latter. In the jThetraveling; part of the apparatus condrawings, 1 designates the upperchain and n 2 thelower chain. v `W SlisY one of the bars. .I

4, 5, Figs. 1-and2, are rectangular plates by rivets 9.. The: plates 4 5receive between Athem the upper end of the bar 3, 8, 8, being rivetswhich pass through the pieces 4 5 and :the bar and secure these partsAtogether.

The attachment of the upper end of the bar 'tothe plates 4,: 5, servestoconnect the said end with the chain 1.' The arrangement .is duplicatedat the lower end of the bar 3 in order to secure it ,to the chain v2,the rectangnlar plates at the bottom being designated 10 11, they havingv rivets for securing the Aplates 10; 11 to the lianges 12 13. The

chain 2 are designated 15, and the rivets securing the plates 10 and 11and the lower end ofthe bar 3 together are designated 14. l 16 is'oneo1@ the cards or sheets bearing advertising matter z thereon. In Fig. 1,the traveling part `of the apparatus is supposed to be moving fromrightto left. The forward end of the card or sheet is applied to the frontface of the bar 3 and is secured thereon by a covering. strip 17.'Screws 18 pass through v.the covering-` strip, card or sheet and bar,and enter screw-threaded holes in small stationary nuts or reinforcingplates one of which is shown at 19, Fig. 2,

that are applied to the-rear face. of the. bar and rivetedthereto byrivets 20.

' edge thereof in order to provideA against the possibility of the cardor sheet being broken apart, through repeated iexure at said edge I'portion. The rear portion of an adjacent Y strip 21,'andjV at theend'sof said strip 21 are card or sheet 162' isalso show-n in Fig. 1. Therear edge of the card or sheet is stifliened and reinforced lby afolded-over metal secured the ends of a supporting spring 22.

VEachv of the cards or sheets 162 is thus spring held at its rearV end,one purpose of this arrangement bein-g to maintain the card or sheet ina flat condition when in motion,

n another purposebeing to provide or compensate .for variations in thedistance between adj acent bars at different places in the travel of thetravelingn part of the apparatus, due

y. for instanceV to stretching or shortening of the carrying' chainsresulting from differences in tension in passing through difllerentportions of the apparatus, and other causes.

' 36'-,A Figs: 3 and 5', is ashaft ivhichis journaled ina frame `31 thatin practice is attached to thecarin which the apparatus is carried atthe riglit-lfiand end of such car' as regarded in the -figures. vTheshaft 30 carries a sprocket 32 mounted near its lower end, asprocket 33Vmounted near itsV upper end, and a Worm gear 34 mounted above the 'by'the Wormy shaft 315 sprocket 33.' The Worm gear 34 is engaged Whichconstitutes the shaft of the motor 36 (see Figs. 7 and. 8).

' 319. is a roller ifnoufnte'd on the shaft 30 and secured vthereon bypins 40 41. rllhe rollerv 39V isprovid-ed With channeled portions 42' 44toA accommodate the reinforcing plates Which project from the rearsurfaces of the. bars- 3. j

' 45, Figs. 3 `and 5, is a second shaft that is mounted in. the frame31, said shaft carryal loiver sprocket 46, an upper sprocket 47', and: aloose-roller 48y composed of several windings of Woolen cloth.

49. 50j are leather-faced Wooden blocks "which bear against they surfaceof the shaft .45 above and below the roller 48., and 51 53 .re springImetal arms attached to the frame 31 and extendinganto contact With theblocks 49 50, inorder that the. blocks may be held pressed againstfthesurface of the shaft 45 and operate as a brake or drag thereon.

Figs. 5 and 6, the long,` arrows indicate thefdirection of-drive oftheftraveling part ofthe apparatus, the chains 1 and`v 2 passing fromthe rear -around the sprockets 32 and 33 (not visiblein Fig. 5):y and.'thence partly around and behind the sprockets 46 and 47;

adjacent to the The shaft 45 on which the guiding roller 48 is. mountedis so. placed relatively to the -shaft 3() that the forward or exposedrun of the traveling part of the apparatus will be deflected or set backinto a plane closely plane of the rear or concealed run thereof.

55., Figs. 4 and 6, is a shaft journaled in the frame 56, which latteralso carries a shaft 57. Sprockets 58 59 are mounted near the lovver andupper ends of the shaft 55 and sprockets 60 61 are similarly mounted onthe shaft 57. rFhe shafts 55 and 57 are located in the same relation toeach other asy are the shafts 30 and 45, and for the same purpose. Theframe 56 slides iii Ways 62 63 in the frame 64, which latter is attachedto the car at the left handI end thereof as regarded in the figures. Theshaft 57 is provided with a loose woolen guiding roll 581 and in itsposition corresponds With the shaft 45, for the same purpose.

65, 66, Figs. 4 and 6, are turnbuckles connecting the sliding frame 56with the frame- 64 in orderto provide for accurate-ly adjustin-gthetension of the traveling part of theapparatus.

One purpose of the blocks 49, 50, Fig. 3, is to prevent the sprockets4647 from playing back and forth and occasioning noise and wear as thetravelling part of the apparatus passes over the same, it being clearthat at this point the least tension exists in said. travelling part,and the most play is likely to occur.

The Woolen rolfl's 48 and 581, Figs. 3 and 4, are left loose on theshafts 45 and 57 respectively, for the reason. that the speed of' travelof the cards or sheets as they pass over the rolls 4S and 58.1 differsfrom the speed of travel of the chains l and: 2 as they pass over thesprockets 46 47 and 60 6l.

70, Figs. 2 and 7, is a metal molding constituting a fixed Way extendingthe length of the exposed portion of the apparatus, it being madesomewhat in box shape as shown in Fig. 2 in order to iiiclose the chain1 and permit the latter to thereon. The4 said bearing is taken by theflanges 6, Fig. 2, resting on the inwardly bent portion 71 of the.molding. A second molding or fixed Way 72 Fig.y 2, serves in the sameWay to. support the rear run of the chain 1, the anges 7 sliding uponthe inwardly turnedflange 73 of said molding. The upper edge port-ion ofthe outer molding 70. is shown in Fig. 2 as doubled over the upper edgeof the inner molding 72, as at 731, and 74 indicates one of a series ofscrews passingV through the three thicknesses of the moldings at 731 andentering the Woodwork of the. car to which the inoldhigs are aliixed.The chain 2 ist inclosed in similar moldings arranged reversel-y as in.-

dicated in Fig. 2, there being a molding 75l take a sliding bearing'inclosing the front run of the chain `2, and" inner faces of themoldings for the purpose of deadening the slight rattle 'of the chainswhich may occur when the apparatus isin operation. Those portions of themoldings which are attached to the woodwork of the car may be bent atthe requiredangle to iit closely against such woodwork, as shown indotted lines at top and bottom'in-Fig. 2.

In Figs. 7 and 8 85 86 are casings which inclose the frames 31 and 56respectivel the end walls of the car being designated 8 and 88. Themotor is shown at 36,'it being a self contained motor, andbeing locatedon the end wall of the car at thedriving end of the apparatus, in thesubstantially triangular space between the curved roof 89, the doorframe and the frame of the end ,windo-w. This position/removes the motorfromvinterference with the exposed advertisingspace in the apparatus,provides said-motor with a solid support, and permits of the mot-orshaft being in direct connection, through the worm gear alreadydescribed, with the shaftv 30 carrying the drivingsprockets 32 and33.The motor being in front of the shafts 30 and 45 requires no additionalspacein the car for its accommodation. Fig. 8 also shows my improvedapparatus arranged in the inclined position adjacent the curved roof ofa car which I prefer in some cases, inasmuch as. itexposes theadvertisements, etc., more plainly to view. j

In Figs. 9 to 14 inclusive is shown a construction of bar and coveringstrip which will now be described. The bar is designatedv 90. It isformed of sheet metal, and is stamped integral with the links 91y and 92of the chain, at top and bottom', whichcorrespond with the links inFigs. 1 and 2 to which the bar 3 `is affixed. Flanges 93, 94, 95 and 496are also struckup from the body portion of the bar, they correspondingto the flanges 6, 7, 12 Vand 13 of Figs.` 1 and 2 and projecting inopposite directions from the bar. Preferably the flanges .93 and 94 areformed by bending up in opposite directions the two halves of a flap cutfrom the body of the bar as shown clearly in the several figures theflanges 95, 96 being formed in like manner. YThe flanges at the bottomof the bar will be turned up so as each to be oppositeth-atflange at thetop which projects in the same direct-ion from the bar. In the face ofthe bar are set pins, 97, 98,*and 99,

corresponding in position with the screws 18 of Figs. 1 and 2. Thepins97 and-99 are As indicated in Figu2, V80 81 82` and 83 are leather`strips att-ached ,to the formed each with an annular groove 100,101,respectively and the pin 98 is made longer than the pins 97 and 99 andis formed with two annular grooves 102 and 103. The groove 103`is forthe reception of the middle portion of the spring 104 which connects therear end of the card or sheet 105 with the bar 90. I

106, Figs. 9 and 10 is the covering strip. It is provided with threeL-shaped slots 107,

108, 109, which are so positioned aspto fit' over the lpins 97 ,98, 99,the annular grooves or necks 100, 101, 102 entering the slot-s 107 109and '108, respectively. The material of 4the covering strip` is struckor bulged up aroundthe ends of the slots 107, 108, 109 as 'at 110,111,112. l/Vhen the covering strip has been fully applied to the pins, theeffect of the raised portions 110, 111, 112 is to force thecoveringstrip firmly against the card or sheet, here designated 113.`One end of the latter is shown separately in Fig. 14, it beingprovidedwith' two holes 114, 115, for engagement with pins 97, 99 andalso provided with a slot116 located properly to be slipped upontherpin98.. VThe slot 116 is formed instead of. a hole, because it isnot desirable to have to `remove a single card or sheet from the whenthe card or sheet 113 is being applied to the bar 90, itbeing frequentlynecessary toremove a single `card or sheet from the apparatus and toreplace it with another -without disturbing the preceding card orsheet..

rlhewoolen rolls 48 and 581, offering a j fabric surface in contact withthe face of the cardsor sheets, serve to prevent particles of dust anddirt from being rubbed or ground `into the cards or sheets and tend toremove such particles. r1`he rollstheinselves may be replaced with cleanrolls when an objectionable amount of dust and dirt has accumulatedupon` them.

Vhat `I claim is- 1. In an advertising apparatus, the combination oftraveling supporting chains at top and bottom, a bar between the chains,a covering strip applied to the bar, and an advertisement bearing sheethaving its edge secured between the bar and covering strip.

2. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingsupporting element, an

advertisement bearing sheet having apertures in one edge thereof, pinslocated upon said traveling element and engaging said apertures, and acovering strip applied to said edge of the sheet to ret-ain the same inengagement with said pins.

3. In an advertising apparat-us, the combination of a traveling element,a bar carried thereby, pins located upon the bar, an advertisementbearing sheet adapted to fit upon the pins, and a covering stripdetachably engaging said pins and thereby securing said j sheet inplace.

vthe pins,

thereby, pinslocated upon the bar and having reduced portions or necks,an advertisement bearing sheet adapted to fit upon the pins, and acovering strip having slots engaging the necks of the pins and havingraised-portions operating to make contact with-.the pins andv press thecovering strip against the sheet to secure the latter in place. Y 6,. Inan advertising apparatus, the conrbination of a traveling supportingelement,

pins vlocated thereon, an advertisement bearing sheet having its frontedge applied to a covering strip securing the front ledge of the sheetin place, a preceding sheet having its rear edge adjacent to the pins,anda spring connection extendingrearward from the latter sheet andengaging with one ofthe aforesaid pins independent of said coveringstrip whereby the latter may be removed withou-t disturbing said'spring, vconnection.

7l In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingsupporting element, an

advertisement bearing sheet carried thereby,

an adhesive cloth strip. applied to one edge of saidcard or sheet,andmeans lfor securingI said edgeV of the -card or sheet to said travelingsupporting element.

8. In an advertising apparatus, thecombination of a horizontallytraveling supportingy element, an advertisement bearing sheet havingapertures in the front edge thereof j and a stiifening strip appliedtothe rea-r edge thereof, means for enga-ging and securing saidapertured front edge of the sheet; in an upward and downward position tosaid travcling element, and means for connecting said stiffened rearedge of the sheet in an upward and downward position with said element.Y

9'.A In anadvertising apparatus, the combinationl of a supportingelement traveling in a horizontal direction, an advertisementbearingmember having one end of the same positively fixed detachabl-y to thesaid supporting element andA thereby firmly supported across .its width,and a spring-connection between the other end of the said member and thesaid supporting element, whereby the said member is held extendedlengthwise in a. horizontal direction in addition to being preventedfrom sagging downward;

10.. In an advertising apparatus, the com-y bination of upper and lowercarrier-chains:

traveling vin a horizontal direction, crossbars connected therewith andextending upA ward and downward, an advertisement-bear'- ing memberhaving oney end thereof {ixedly connected up and down across its' widthdirectly to one of the said cross-bars, and a spring-connection betweenthe other end of said member and a second cross-bar, whereby such memberis held extended lengthwise in addition to being prevented from saggingdownward.

11. In an advertising apparatus, in combination, a traveling supportingelement cross-bars carried thereby, a card or sheet, means for lixedlyconnecting the leading end of said card or sheet with one of the saidcross-bars, andv a spring-connection having its ends respectivelyengaged with the rear end of said card or sheet at separated points nearthe top and bottom thereof only and its middle detachably engaged withthe middle o-f the succeeding cross-bar only.

12. In an advertising apparatus, in combination, a traveling carrier,cross-bars carried thereby, a card or sheet, means for lixedlyconnecting' one end of the said card or sheet with one cross-bar, aspring-connection having its ends connected with the other end of thecard or sheet at opposite points, and a projection upon the middle of anadjacent cross-bar with which the middle of the said spring-connectionis detachably engaged- 13". In an advertising apparatus, in combination,upper and lower traveling chains moving horizontally, cross barsextending from one chain to the other, a card or sheet having one endthereof attached to one of the said cross-bars, a spring-connectionhaving its respective ends attached at upper and lower points only tothe other end of the said card or sheet and its middle engageddetachably with the middle of the length of the adjacent cross-bar only,the said springconnection serving to support the said end in an upwardlyextending position.,

14. In an advertisingapparatus, the combination of supporting-chainstraveling in a horizontal direction, an advertisement-bearing member orthe like, a clamp engaging one end of the said member and therebysupporting the said end, and spring-connections engaging with the otherend of the said member and: thereby extending and supporting suchmember.

15. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingadvertisement-bearing element located in an inclined position, bearingsattached to said element adjacent to the upper edge thereof, fixed wayshavinterior bearing surfaces engaged by the bearings and therebysuspending the traveling element, and other fixed ways engaging thelower portion of said element and thereby restraining the same fromfalling forward.

1.6. In an advertising apparatus, the` com bination of a travelingadvertisement-bearing element, bearings attached 1to1 the` saineadjacent tothe upper edge thereof, bearings attached to said elementAadjacent Itov the lower edge thereof, fixed ways having interiorbearing surfaces engaged bythe upper bearings and serving to suspend thetraveling element, and other fixed ways having interior bearing surfacesengaged by the lower bearings and serving to restrain the lower portionof saidV element from falling forward. j

17. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingadvertisement bearing element inclined to the vertical, bearingsprojecting in each direction therefrom, and a plurality of fixed waysadapted to support opposite runs of said traveling element by engagementwith the corresponding bearings.

18. In an advertising apparatus, the coml bination of a travelingadvertisement-bear ing element inclined to the vertical and havingopposite runs, fianges projecting in each direction therefrom, andmoldings inclosing the edge of said traveling element and having waysextending under those flanges which are lowermost on the run beingsupported.

19. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingadvertisement-bearing element having front and rear runs and providedwith projections, end rollers over which the same passes, guiding meanslocated adjacent to the end rollers for setting back the frontor exposedrun of said traveling element into a plane adjacent to the plane of therear run thereof, and flanged moldings constituting ways and engagingwith projections of said element for sup porting said runs and attachedat the rear of said runs to a fixed support. j

20.- In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingadvertise1nent-bear ing element having front and rear runs and providedwith projections, end rollers over which the same passes, guiding meanslocated adjacent to the end rollers for setting back the front orexposed run of said traveling element into a plane adjacent to the planeof the rear run thereof, flanged sheet metal moldings bent to inclosethe edges of said runs of said element" and engaging with projections ofthe saidruns to thereby support the saine, and a fixed support, rearwardof said element, to which said moldings are attached. f

21. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of a car having acurved roof, separate moldings forming upper and lower ways directlyaffixed longitudinally7 thereon and a traveling advertisement-bearingelement engaging at top and bottom with said ways and positioned in aninclined plane subtending the curve of said roof.

22. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of travelingadvertising mechanism, an `end roll over which the same passes, a guideroll adjacent to the end roll for setting` back the front run of thesaid mechanism, aniovable frame in which said rolls are journaled,andmeans for adjustingaid frameend roll and guide roll in unison forthereby varying the tension in said mechanism.

23. Inan advertising apparatus, the combination of'a travelingadvertising element having endless sprocket-chains, an end-roller forthe same, a guiding roller succeeding the said end-roller 'and settingbackx the front run of the said element and chains, said guiding rollerhaving sprocket wheels engaging with said sprocket-chains, and a dragbrake applied to the said guiding roller opf eratingto prevent thesprockets from playing back and forth and occasioning noise and wear.

24. lIn an advertising apparatus, the combination of a travelingadvertisement-bearing` element having adjacent opposite runs, andfixedways constituted of moldings inclosing the edge of said element andserving to support said runs, the rear edge portion o-f one 'moldingbeing folded over the rear edge portion of the other molding toV form areinforced flange for attachment to a suitable support. Y

25. In an advertising apparatus, the com-- bination of an end rollerhaving sprockets at topand bottom, traveling chains at top and bottompassing over said sprockets, advertisement -bearing sheets supportedbetween the chains, an idler shaft located adjacent to said end rollerhaving sprockets for guiding the chains, and a loose roll on said idlershaft for guiding said sheets.

26. In an advertising apparatus, the com bination of travelingadvertisement-bearing sheets, and a guiding roll located at the Vfrontface of said sheets and having a surfacingof fabric.

27. In an advertising apparatus, the combination of anend roller havingsprockets at top and bottom, traveling chains at top and bottom `passingover said sprockets, advertisement bearing sheets supported between thechains, an idler shaft located adjacent to said end roller havingsprockets for guiding the chains, and a loose fabric roll on said idlershaft for guiding the sheets.

28. In an advertising apparatus, the conibination of a travelingadvertisement-bearing element, a series of flanges attached to the sameadjacent to the upper edge thereof, v-

a second series of flanges attached to said element adjacent to thelower edge thereof, fixed ways extending under the upper series offlanges and serving to suspend the travel ing element, and other fixedways extending forward of and over the lower series of flan-gesl andserving to ,restrain thev latter 1 ranged to clamp the side edges of thesheet from forward and upward motion. between them. 10

`29. In a traveling advertising device, end- In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature less chains, sprockets around which the n presence oftwo witnesses.

chainsareA caused to pass, an advertising JOSHUA CRANE, Jn.

sheet, and means for removably securing it IVtnesses: y

to the chains, comprising nterloeked back FRANCIS L. HEFFERNAN,

'and' front plates carried by the chains ar- LEPINE HALL RICE,

